Justin B. Terry-Smith has been involved in Gay and HIV Activism since 1999. He is an Air Force 9/11 Disabled Vet. Raised in Silver Spring, MD, he now lives in Severn, MD with his husband Phil. He writes an HIV/STI Advice Column for A&U Magazine, is a Contributing writer for thebody.com, a Life Coach and an Adjunct Professor. He has earned his Doctorate in Public Health with a concentration in Infectious Disease.

Justin's HIV Journal

Sunday, December 10, 2017

When Justin’s HIV Journal was on display at the Brooklyn Museum there was a discussion panel afterwards of Activist. It allowed me to see activist from early in the HIV epidemic and present-day activist. The one commonality that we all had in common was the camera. We documented our lives and other people’s lives that were affect or infected with HIV. It amazed me on how far activism has come but it also amazes me on what is coming next from the next generation. Sometimes, I wonder will the generation after me understand what we’ve done to help in the fight against HIV. I know that the generation before me probably thought the same thing. Well, I say to them I was there, I listened, and I’m here now continuing your work. The work that laid the ground for other like me to be able to do what we do. I thank you all on this World AIDS Day

Justin B. Terry-Smith on the impact of technology and social media with activism

Excerpt: “As far as me growing up and going to college I kind of left it by the wayside but I always really had a passion for journalism in the media and so being a writer today really did help me to be able to be open about what I have. To be open about who I am. But I will say that I have two sons they are 20 and 18. And I will say that I LOVE social media... It does allow them to be open and to explore and explain their feelings to the outside world. It does allow us to be able to say, 'here's an important cause'. Here's an avenue for you to feel passionate about, go explore that." - Justin B. Terry-Smith

Justin B. Terry-Smith on making private testimony public

Excerpt: “Giving a testimony of what was going on with me was able to manifest itself and have other people say, 'well this is happening with me too'. Having people comment and send me emails about that made me want to do more and more. And broadened my horizon like my husband and I are adopting this kid and another kid. I'm still doing this and thinking of what it means to be positive. And a lot of people from the older generations would say well, we never thought that would even be a possibility.” - Justin B. Terry-Smith

Justin B Terry-Smith

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About Justin B Terry-Smith

My name is Justin B Terry-Smith, I'm a Black Gay man living in Laurel, Maryland and I am HIV+. I've decided to share my story because I feel it's important that people who have unprotected sex know what they might be getting themselves into. People have asked me why I am doing this, why have I put my personal business out like this. I tell them it is to help educate people, to make them aware and to make them think twice about having unprotected sex. This is my personal journey that needs to be told to help the community.
HIV is neither glamorous or a rite of passage. Watch the Journal and think twice.
In the words of Pedro Zamora, "I'm not dying. I'm living with it"